Racing for Enjoyment = New PR

Longhorn Half-Ironman was yesterday, and I told myself it was just going to be a training day for me. I'd take it easy and go in without expectations - and just do how I do. Thinking about this race mentally this way allowed me to go into this race nice and relaxed. I even ran 11 miles the day before - no need to rest my legs because I'm not concerned with my time.

Apparently, this is the way I need to approach every race because I PR'd by several minutes at Longhorn!!

Here's the stats:
1.2 mi Swim: 45:05 (2:20/100 m pace)
56 mi Bike: 3:25:13 (16.4 mph)
13.1 mi Run: 1:39:04 (7:34 pace)
Total Time: 5:57:31

I'll save the race report for another post as this is another crazy busy week for me. Longhorn was my last triathlon of the season, and I am so ready for a break this week before the Distance Challenge picks up again. Racing three big races in three consecutive weekends has left me exhausted. I'm looking forward to eating a lot this week and working out only when I feel like it!

Last week's totals:
Swim: 9,411.77 yards
Bike: 56 miles
Run: 50.70 miles
WAHOO!

Thankful

I'm thankful today for cooler temps and great training buddies. Seriously, I would not be where I am with my running without the help and support of the Run Tex & Georgetown running/triathlon community. When my alarm goes off at 4:55 am on run group mornings, I don't have a second thought after hitting snooze and skipping those workouts. I'm excited to get up and run and train with great people!

Pair run group with nice, cool temps this morning, it's been a great day! I knocked at 10 miles this morning - 3 mile warm-up, 4 mile progressive tempo on 27:45 and 3 mile cooldown, followed by a 1800 yard swim at lunch. YEAH!

Now headed home to run my little man Flash!

Keeping on, keeping on...

The first race of my beloved Austin Distance Challenge, the IBM 10K, was yesterday morning. I wasn't as excited about this race as I usually am, mostly because I'm stressed with work right now and had to work all day Saturday instead of resting my poor little leggies (I know, I know, I need to quit whining!).

Anyway, got to the race Sunday morning and did a nice long warm-up. Quickly realized that this was going to be one of those days where running won't come easy. My legs felt tired and sore; and, I felt wiped out in general. I decided to just focus on beating my time from this race last year (42:51) and try try to run negative splits. If it didn't happen, it just wasn't my day and c'est la vie.

I started out conservatively and although my 2nd 5k was faster than my first, I never felt great in this race and never felt like my legs really warmed up. I crossed the finish line in 41:46 (6:44 pace) and was thrilled with that result. I beat my time from last year by over a minute and was able to pass three women ahead of me in the final mile. I learned from this race that I need more rest before a race!

This weekend is Longhorn 70.3 which I will not be racing, but just using it as a training swim/ride/run. Had I known how hectic this week and next are with work, I would not have signed up, but what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, right! :)

Happy training!

New Marathon PR!

Well, I went into Baltimore hoping to run a 3:30 marathon, and.....I blew it out of the water!!! 3:17:53 marathon, a new PR for me. I'm still shocked. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be able to run 7:34 min miles for a marathon. Never. Ever. My hard work has paid off!!

I finished 2nd in my age group out of 191 women (missed first place by 3 stinkin' seconds!!). I was the 24th overall woman out of 1115, and 105 overall out of 3,145 finishers.

At the started I battled between whether I should start off running with the 3:30 pace group or the 3:20 pace group. My fear was starting out too fast and losing steam near the end of the race, but I decided to start out with the 3:20 pace group and hang in there as long as I could. Felt great the first 13.1 and was right on pace for a 3:20 marathon. Also saw my family cheering at mile 13 which gave me an extra boost of energy. Miles 16-22 brought some tough hills, but I managed to hang with the pace group, knowing I could do this!! Mile 23 marked the end of the hills, and at that point I got another burst of energy and decided to leave the 3:20 pace group and go all out the last 3.2 miles. Saw my family right before Mile 26 and gunned it towards the end. And, of course, I then cried. Tears of joy of course. :)

A big congrats to my brother Craig who rocked his second ever 5k! Also, to my cousin Lexi who also ran the 5k, and my Uncle Terry who ran the half-marathon, improving on last years time. Also, a BIG THANK YOU to my family who came out to support my craziness and my friends and husband for all of the support over the past few months. Couldn't have done it without you!!

Thanks for a great race Baltimore!!!

Next up: IBM 10K this Sunday, first race of the distance challenge!!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

I've been a poor blogger lately. Things have been hectic as I'm trying to get things done at work before I head to Baltimore on Thursday. Note to self: planning a vacation in October with 2 big special events to prepare is not the best idea.

Anyway, last week was a lighter workout week for me, not necessarily planned, but I just got so busy that I missed some workouts. I had two days of complete rest, which was probably good in preparation for the upcoming marathon.
Totals:
Run: 42 miles
Swim: 1750 yards (only got in one swim :( )
Bike: 0 (oh well)

The good news about last week is that Dan and I ran in a 5 mile race in Cedar Park on Sunday, and I won! I was the first female finisher in 33:09 (6:38 pace). This is one of our favorite races that we run every year, and I've never won it before....so it was a great surprise! Here's a picture of me with my hardware. :)
I've won a handful of races now over the past year- small ones, of course- but, still it seems unreal to me. I never ever thought I would be fast enough to win a race - it's been a testament to me that hard work pays off, and it keeps me getting out the door every morning.

BALTIMORE MARATHON IS SATURDAY!! I'm really excited about this race. I had a great time running the half last year, so I can't wait to see how the marathon course is. Plus, it will be awesome to have my family there. I did my last hard workout for the week this morning at Run Tex, and will just got out for easy jogs the next two days.

I'll update after the marathon!!